• Replies 58 replies
  • Subscribers 91 subscribers
  • Views 18928 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

question about disclosing at work

qwerty

I was wondering if anyone might have any experiences (either positive or negative) disclosing ASD to your boss/supervisor/line manager who is from the older generation?

Asperger Syndrome wasn't discovered until the mid-1900s, and wasn't really known of by most people until maybe the past 20 years or so. So it seems plausible that some people who are from an older generation might not have heard of ASD or know much about it. And because of this, it seems quite scary to tell a boss/supervisor/line manager who is in their 60s-70s that you have ASD, because it's something that didn't really exist in their time, so there's the worry that they might not believe it. I don't know if this kind of worry makes sense. I'm afraid they might just think you're not "trying hard enough" with the social stuff, rather than it's due to autism.

Parents

  • Hello :)

    I didn't set out to disclose at work but had a meltdown/extreme reaction to an unclear situation and walked out leading to questions. I work in a school and felt I had to explain my behaviour to the head of school so told her I was waiting to be assessed for asd. She took it very well and the timing was perfect because I needed a few mornings off for the assessment process. I got my diagnosis last week and I think it provides them with an explanation as to why I may sometimes come across uncertain or awkward. Yesterday I was unsure how to react in a scenario and it was because I'd never been in that situation before, which they understood and gave me some guidance to follow. Only the head and deputy know and I am not ready for it to be widely known but it has been a positive experience so far!

Reply

  • Hello :)

    I didn't set out to disclose at work but had a meltdown/extreme reaction to an unclear situation and walked out leading to questions. I work in a school and felt I had to explain my behaviour to the head of school so told her I was waiting to be assessed for asd. She took it very well and the timing was perfect because I needed a few mornings off for the assessment process. I got my diagnosis last week and I think it provides them with an explanation as to why I may sometimes come across uncertain or awkward. Yesterday I was unsure how to react in a scenario and it was because I'd never been in that situation before, which they understood and gave me some guidance to follow. Only the head and deputy know and I am not ready for it to be widely known but it has been a positive experience so far!

Children
  • in reply to raspberry

    Hi raspberry. Thanks for responding to my post!

    Yeah, it does sound like a very positive experience! I agree it was also very good timing! I'm happy for you that they responded well and were very supportive.

    I hadn't been as brave to disclose before a formal diagnosis. I had a meltdown a few months ago, it was really just me crying to myself, but somehow they interpreted that it was directed towards the people around me. I still haven't disclosed, as it seems a bit post hoc...

    Thanks for sharing your experience and bravery. I hope if I do disclose one day, the experience will be as positive as yours.

  • in reply to raspberry

    I'm a teacher and have told a few people, but mainly key ones like head/AHT/HoD. It's good that they then know why I might struggle and understand. Eg the other day I was in an assembly and they were starting to play music (I have very sensitive hearing which causes pain) and I just said to the AHT "I'm off" and left without it being any fuss.

  • in reply to raspberry

    It seemed a big step for me to 'come out'. 

    But people gossip. They begin to wonder why you are getting perceived 'special treatment' and they dont see you as disabled, since the problems appear to be one of attitude.

    i initially just told a trusted colleague or two, to which the reply was of the order ' Now tell me something I don't know', so obviously people had noticed I was exhibiting traits.

    i didnt want to make a big announcement, so I just told the office gossip and she duly let everyone know as I knew she would!  And the result was 90 per cent supportive, there are still those who always will think it is a behaviour issue.

    As part of my Access to Work funding there was training for staff on my difficulties, for which thankfully I wasnt there.  But I had seen the training beforehand by way of the slides and aporoved it, and once again feedback was very positive.

    i think sometimes we worry too much about such things.  A good employer will give very positive support and help.  A poor employer will find fault.  And this will only be a reflection as to how they behave to all their staff who have needs, whether autistic or not. A poor employer is a poor employet, and not just to autistic employees.

    It took a long time for me to finally have my employer treat me properly. But now I am finally treated with respect, have a reasonable amount of autonomy and am not constantly pulled up for minor indiscretions.  In short, I no longer dread going to work each day for fear  of not fitting in.  I am no longer afraid of approaching my manager or for asking for time off or saying I need a short break to clear my head. 

    And at one time I could not see this happening at all.